In a lot of ways, stamping is pretty straightforward—ink the stamp and press it onto a paper surface to transfer an image. Where we have fun as makers and creators is when we think outside the mark. Today we are sharing three quick stamping ideas for you to try on your next papercrafting project, using the Life’s a Hoot—Scrapbooking stamp set!

Stamp on Photos!

Stamp directly on your photos and use up some of that negative space! Negative space is the area surrounding the subject of your photo. Using a photo with plenty of negative space gives you a place to stamp without covering the subject.

If you want to stamp on your photos, matte photo paper is the best option and works well with any ink, even if you prefer the raised look and feel of embossing. Keep in mind that inks, even the embossing ink (VersaMark™ ink pad), will absorb quickly into the matte photo paper. If you are going to stamp and heat emboss multiple images, emboss between stamping each image to make sure the embossing powder has time to stick to the ink.

Stamping on photos is a great way to personalize your scrapbook layouts even further and also an easy way to make your very own, one-of-a-kind, cards! (DIY Photo Cards!)

Color Stamped Images

Stamping can be more than just a one-and-done process! While there are plenty of stamping techniques that we love for adding a variety of ink colors and effects to our stamped images (10 Stamping Techniques You NEED to Know!), one of the easier ways to add color is to simply color the images in!

These beautiful heart-faced owls were stamped with Intense Black ink and colored with our alcohol-based TriBlend™ markers.

The Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad is intense not because of its color but because it is a non-smearing, fast-drying, solvent-based permanent ink. It is also waterproof and archival. If you want to add color to stamped images with alcohol markers or watercolor paints, Intense Black ink is the way to go!

If you are not familiar with TriBlend™ markers, inside every marker there is a gradation of colors, from light to dark, delivered through three separate fine bullet nibs. You basically get three markers in one! The alcohol-based ink is especially designed to blend seamlessly  for mixing and layering the shades.

If you are using a porous paper surface and are hoping to create a seamless blend between colors or shades, don’t allow the ink to dry between color applications. Start with the lightest color, then add a darker shade, overlapping some of the color in the middle of the two. While the ink is still wet, it will move and spread through the fibers of the paper. When two colors of ink are wet on top of each other, they will spread into each other, creating a more seamless blend.

Like we mentioned, alcohol ink will spread through the fibers of a piece of paper when it’s still wet. Keep that in mind as you color a stamped image, and avoid coloring up to the edges, leaving a tiny space for the ink to move into on its own. If you apply too much ink to a stamped image, even though you may have colored in the lines, it may not look that way by the time the ink is absorbed and dries.

Create Journaling Cards!

Scrapbooking is about memory keeping, and that includes journaling! Making sure there is room on your scrapbook pages to write a whole story, or just a few precious details of the story that your photos tell, is not difficult. Reserve a space on your pages for this important aspect and use stamps to create a journaling card.

We typically like to use White Daisy cardstock for these journaling cards on our layouts. Stamp a sentiment at the top or bottom of your card and then, with a journaling pen and ruler, carefully draw lines to guide your writing. After adding the journaling, mat the card like the photos on the layout and attach it to the page. Easy-peasy!

Enhance your creativity by doing things differently from time-to-time and experiment with new media, new products, and new techniques—especially with stamping!

Now is the perfect time to jump in! From now until March 31, you can get unbeatable discounts on our top-quality stamp sets and Thin Cuts! Enjoy a savings of 35% on My Acrylix^® stamp sets and up to 60% on coordinating Stamp + Thin Cuts sets through our Stamptacular Sale!

Recipe:

12″ x 12″ Life’s a Hoot Layout
Z4681 Life’s a Hoot—Scrapbooking Stamp + Thin Cuts, X7290S Life’s a Hoot Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X5978 Glacier Cardstock, X6054 Grape Cardstock, X6067 Periwinkle Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z6520 Flamingo Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6524 Grape Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2494 Hydrangea TriBlend™ Marker, Z2474 Ice Grey TriBlend™ Marker, Z2493 Lavender TriBlend™ Marker, Z2512 Muted Brown TriBlend™ Marker, Z4575 Black LePen™, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z5038 Die-cutting & Embossing Machine